Is suffering meaningless? I suppose without having the experience of great joy in the midst of or shortly after suffering one is tempted to conclude the there is no benefit to suffering. It is paradoxical. Jesus suffered on a cross propelled forward to his death by his passionate love for us and desire to do the will of his Father. In love with his enemies, even as reviled by them, willingly lays down his life to save us. Bittersweet unrequited love. He laments, "I have